For the CMU fans who went through the Mike DeBord era (2000 - 2003), Saturday's loss to Ball State was a throwback to the past. Like living through a flood, a stock market crash, or a war, those fans have been through crisis, and not only do they recognize it, but they are better prepared for the sacrifices to come.

And don't accuse me of being "chicken little" or using hyperbole. When you lose to one of the bottom five teams in FBS football, you are a team who will be hard pressed to finish your season with a winning record.

The idea of a CMU team that is rebuilding (a nice way of saying they won't win many games) will come as a surprise to younger fans.

Central Michigan has only lost four conference games during their championship era (2006 - 2009). They also won three MAC Championships in that time.

With road games at tough opponents like Toledo and Northern Illinois (both undefeated in-conference) still to come, the prospects of CMU competing in a championship this year are highly improbable.

But, it's time to move on.

We need to make the best of the next seven games.

Lucky for you, I am a survivor of the DeBord era and I will be happy to teach you how to get through CMU's "rebuilding season 2010" as painlessly as possible.

And if CMU does turn it around and wins the rest of their games?

As a fan of the team I truly hope that will be the case.

However, at least you will have the following survivors guide when the rebuilding season does come.

A Survivors Guide to a Rebuilding Football Program

I. GO TO THE GAMES

The absolute worst thing you can do is to stop going to the games. Lackluster attendance hurts recruiting, and recruiting is the lifeblood of a championship program.

II. DON'T BLAME THE COACH (TOO MUCH).

Coach Dan Enos has a three year contract and it will be honored no matter how many games he loses. Blaming him only creates a cloud of uncertainty which harms recruiting and makes it harder for Enos to win games. If you are going to be critical, be constructive.

III. THERE IS MORE TO FOOTBALL SATURDAY THAN FOOTBALL

Maybe you are mad that Ball State is curb stomping your beloved Chips. Perfect time to check out the band, cheerleaders, or maybe even finish that challenging New York Times crossword puzzle folded in your back pocket.

IV. LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Check out some of Central Michigan's recruiting prospects around the state. V. RELISH TAILGATE

OK, maybe athletic director Dave Heeke killed tailgating as we had known it with his new policies. That doesn't mean you can't party somewhere else before the game. But, for the sake of helping CMU rebuild, please stagger into Kelly-Shorts Stadium for

at least one quarter.VI. CONSTRUCT YOUR OWN REALITY

During the early 2000's CMU fans developed a defense mechanism when criticized about their beloved Chippewas. Chip fans, myself included, could always come up with the name of a team that was doing worse than CMU e.g "At least we aren't Eastern Michigan." By focusing on the positives and reminding yourself of how bad another team's negatives are, you can reach a point where a 2-12 team always seems on the verge of turning it around.

VII. PLAY WITH PUPPETS

No need to watch Central Michigan potentially get destroyed by Virginia Tech this Saturday. With a couple of socks and a magic marker you can create a CMU vs. VaTech match-up where CMU can't lose. Imagine "Sock Ryan Radcliff" completing 90 yard bombs to "Sock Cody Wilson" all behind a replica set piece of Virginia Tech's stadium you designed on Friday. If anybody tries to tell you that you are weird, just show them a couple of low-lights from CMU's game against Ball State and they will leave you (and your puppets) alone. "Another 99-yard run by Sock Paris Cotton!...he can't be stopped!"VIII. APPEASE THE FOOTBALL GODS

Everybody knows the Football Gods sit on a throne made of skin, on a mountain of bones, above several rivers of blood (and their tributaries). Accordingly, the tributes they require are equally grisly. While there is a ten goat sacrifice minimum to affect the outcome of a game -- you didn't think Buffalo won their Championship based on skill did you? -- this has also been known to work. During the tailgate get a massive amount of chicken bones and pour a beer over it while chanting: "WE WHO ARE ABOUT TO LOSE, SALUTE YOU!" The Football Gods reward the humble, and such a display of humility might get them on our side.IX. RALLY CAPS

Never doubt the power of the rally cap. During the 2001 AFC Championship Game I was able to guide Adam Vinitieri's game winning kick through the uprights using a simple rally cap. So, if CMU's starting left tackle is on the verge of giving up his 5th sack of the game, quickly turn your hat inside out and point it directly at his body. The voodoo magic of the rally cap should give him the strength to do his job.

X. MIX IT UP

Players get to be superstitious with their unchanged socks and pre-game rituals, so why can't fans? Try walking into Kelly-Shorts Stadium backwards. Ignore the people staring at you, you are just trying to get a win over Miami of (Ohio)! Maybe your wife sits in seat 113 and you sit on 114. Maybe it's time for a switch? And if you really want to change CMU's luck, take a page from former New York Yankee Jason Giambi and bust out the golden thong.